MPEG Streamclip question: which is better? QT DV or Export to DV?

[Direwolf]

I'm trying to convert some .vobs that are 23.976 fps in order to import them into Final Cut Pro.

In MPEG Streamclip, there are 2 options:

1. Export to Quicktime >>> Compression: Apple DV/DVCPRO at 100% quality.
2. Export to DV.

Option #1 preserves the 23.976 fps.
Option #2 changes it to to 29.97 fps.

Would option #1 be the better option for my workflow since it maintains the 23.976 fps?

And, is the larger file size simply due to the frame rate change to 29.97? Because, I can't seem to see a difference in video quality.

Thanks for any help!

[Case]

Would option #1 be the better option for my workflow since it maintains the 23.976 fps?

If FC import keeps the framerate, and the destination framerate is also 23.976 fps, then it would be better.

Is the larger file size simply due to the frame rate change to 29.97?

Going from 23.976 fps to 29.97 fps should increase the video data size by about 25% (29.97 ÷ 23.976 = 1.25).

[Direwolf]

Would option #1 be the better option for my workflow since it maintains the 23.976 fps?

If FC import keeps the framerate, and the destination framerate is also 23.976 fps, then it would be better.

Is the larger file size simply due to the frame rate change to 29.97?

Going from 23.976 fps to 29.97 fps should increase the video data size by about 25% (29.97 ÷ 23.976 = 1.25).

Thanks, Case! I thought that might be the case (no pun intended).

But now I've run into another problem with MPEGStreamclip and Final Cut Pro:

When I choose to Export-To-Quicktime (100% quality, 16:9 aspect ratio), it letterboxes the video when I drag it into a FCP sequence, no matter what setup I use for the sequences. (The original dvd footage is 16:9 at 23.976 fps).

In FCP, it is not letterboxed only if I choose the 4:3 aspect ratio when I do the Export-To-Quicktime conversion. But, this does not seem right because the video looks distorted in FCP (although there are no top/bottom black bars).

What am I doing wrong in my workflow?

[terryj]

You just need to further tweak MpegStreamclip's export.
When You export to Quicktime as DV,
first perform a Show Stream Info in MpegStreamclip,
and then you'll have the correct size of the file.
In The Export Dialog, set the size to "other" ,
and type in the info of the file there.
Then export.
Then check it in FCP.
You can change the export to Compressor to make it "correct"
if it comes in wrong in the timeline.

[Direwolf]

Still doesn't seem to work properly ...

Here's the Show-Stream-Info of the original .vob:
DV/DVCPRO - NTSC, 720 × 480, 16:9, 23.976 fps, 23.02 Mbps

Here's the Show-Stream-Info of the Export-to-QT-DV
224 MPEG-2, 720 × 480, 16:9, 23.976 fps, 8.00 Mbps, upper field first

In FCP, I have tried these setups for sequences:
DV-NTSC
DV-NTSC 23.98
DV-NTSC 23.98 (Advanced Pulldown Removal)
DV-NTSC Anamorphic

The first 3 setups yield letterboxed video. DV-Anamorphic has no letterboxing, but the video needs to be rendered in FCP, so that doesn't seem right?

As I mentioned, if I choose the 4:3 ratio when I Export-To-DV, it drops into FCP without letterboxing ... but it's distorted, so this doesn't seem right either?

Still confused.

[rumplestiltskin]

Crop in MPEG Streamclip to remove the letterboxing. Use the "Preview" button to check your results before committing to the entire transcode.

[terryj]

Still doesn't seem to work properly ...

Here's the Show-Stream-Info of the original .vob:
DV/DVCPRO - NTSC, 720 × 480, 16:9, 23.976 fps, 23.02 Mbps

Here's the Show-Stream-Info of the Export-to-QT-DV
224 MPEG-2, 720 × 480, 16:9, 23.976 fps, 8.00 Mbps, upper field first

In FCP, I have tried these setups for sequences:
DV-NTSC
DV-NTSC 23.98
DV-NTSC 23.98 (Advanced Pulldown Removal)
DV-NTSC Anamorphic

The first 3 setups yield letterboxed video. DV-Anamorphic has no letterboxing, but the video needs to be rendered in FCP, so that doesn't seem right?

Actually, this is correct, per your SEQUENCE. DV Video Anamophic would have to be rendered, if your
sequence preset is for DV-NTSC.
This is what I was saying earlier:
Create a new Project, select in Easy Setup to set the project for DV-NTSC Anamorphic.
Then import the DV Anamorphic footage into it. IT should be correct on the timeline,
IN THE SEQUENCE, if the footage and sequence match ( input of footage matching to sequence setup)
and there will be no rendering.

As I mentioned, if I choose the 4:3 ratio when I Export-To-DV, it drops into FCP without letterboxing ... but it's distorted, so this doesn't seem right either?

Still confused.

The footage comes in as 4:3 to a 4:3 sequence, squishes to fit to 4:3. Yes this is right, per your sequence.

Please read this great article over at KenStone, which explains how to preset your sequences
and FCP settings, before dealing with 16:9 footage.

[Direwolf]

SUCESS!!! Thank you once again for your help, terryj. I'm glad you're still a regular contributor at this forum.

Here's what I had to do:

In FCP, the DV-Anamorphic preset default is 29.97 fps. So, I created a copy of that preset but changed it to 23.976 fps. Now, the clip goes into the timeline without rendering, @ 16:9 and 23.976 fps! Yay!

Again, thank you thank you thank you!

[terryj]

As always, U r welcome!